The idyllic little Altmühl-town Treuchtlingen is situated in the centre of the nature park ‚Altmühltal’, the second biggest Nature Park in Germany. We recommend you seize the first day and relax in the well-known Altmühl-Thermal Spa.

Hotel example: Hotel Via Vita

With views onto the river Altmühl meandering through the valley you continue via the ‚Devil’s Pulpit’ towards Medieval Pappenheim. You descend again to the river Altmühl via the viewpoint Hollerstein and continue leisurely along the course of the river to your Day Finish, where you are greeted by the impressive castle, seat of the former ‚Reichserbmarschälle’-marshals.

Hotel example: Hotel-Gasthof zur Sonne

Via a high-altitude path with great views you walk over to Solnhofen, the mining place of the well-known Solnhofer limestone slabs and site of over 140 million-year-old fossils. Soon after an amazing and very popular photo opportunity awaits: the nature monument ‚Twelve Apostles’, steep limestone rocks embedded in juniper heaths. The route leads you to Dollnstein into the primeval Danube valley.

Hotel example: Gasthof zum Kirchenschmied

You pass the Geo-monument ‚Burgsteinfelsen’ and continue through forests and juniper heaths and later on on a mountain path with great views all the way to Eichstätt. With Willibalds castle towering over this diocesan town, it is a complete Baroque work of art with prestigious buildings as well as dreamy little alleyways.

Hotel example: Hotel Garni Fuchs

With a lovely view onto the striking Osterberg mountain and the Roman fort Vetoniana, you walk to the Buchenhüller mammoth cave. You will walk across wonderful alpine paths above Altmühl and you will get fantastic views of the valley and the rock faces whilst walking along the panoramic path. You will walk through the Gugoldinger Wacholderheide, which is a fantastic nature protection area before you will go past the Arnsberger Leite and the Limes watch tower to Kipfenberg.

Hotel example: Zur Post

Today’s tour starts with stunning views and insights into the beautiful Anlauter valley. Reach Kinding with its impressive fortified church and cosy inns. Shortly afterwards the panorama path again keeps its promise: magnificent views into the Altmühl valley and onto bizarre rock formations. After that another scenic outpost awaits: the Main-Danube canal, Arzberg, Beilngries, Altmühl and Sulz. A steep descent to Beilngries follows.

Hotel example: Krone

Via the Arzberg mountain plateau into the ‚Seven Valley Town’ of Dietfurt, where water in the form of the Main-Danube canal, rivers and springs plays a major role. Enjoy the view onto Eggersberg palace, past rock formations and along the Altmühltal-boardwalk into the pretty village of Gundlfing. From the ‚Devil’s Rock’ -Teufelsfelsen into the 3-castle town of Riedenburg.

Hotel example: Zur Post

Gnarly trees and rock towers line your – in parts – steep path up to Prunn castle. Pass the blue glittering karst spring "Blautopf" and continue along the Main-Danube Canal. As a reward enjoy a grandiose view into the distance. Back again in the valley, you walk along the Jura rock to the ‚Celt’s Wall’, which leads you immediately back to the Danube – the view down to the mighty Danube crevasse is awe-inspiring. After that the impressive finale of your tour: the boat ride through the Danube crevasse to Kelheim.

Hotel example: Dormero

The idyllic little town of Treuchtlingen on the Altmühl River is situated in the heart of the Altmühltal Nature Park, Germany’s second-largest nature park. Take advantage of your arrival day to enjoy a relaxing soak at the famous Altmühl thermal spa.

Hotel example: Hotel Via Vita

With a view of the Altmühl, which winds its way through the valley in many twists and turns, the trail leads over the ‘Teufelskanzel’ (Devil's Pulpit) towards Medieval Pappenheim. Via the ‘Hollerstein’ viewpoint, you descend once more to the Altmühl and take a leisurely walk along the river to your destination, where you’ll be greeted by the imposing castle, the seat of the former Imperial Marshals.

Hotel example: Hotel-Gasthof zur Sonne

You’ll hike along a scenic high-altitude trail to Solnhofen, the quarrying site of the famous Solnhofen limestone slabs and the location where fossils dating back over 140 million years have been found. Soon after, a stunning and very popular photo spot awaits you: the ‘Twelve Apostles’ natural monument, rugged limestone cliffs nestled among juniper heaths. Your hike takes you to Dollnstein in the primeval Danube valley.

Hotel example: Gasthof zum Kirchenschmied

You’ll pass the ‘Burgsteinfelsen’ geological monument and walk through forests and juniper heaths, before continuing along a scenic high-altitude trail to Eichstätt. Dominated by Willibaldsburg Castle, this episcopal city is a Baroque masterpiece, featuring stately buildings and picturesque alleyways.

Hotel example: Hotel Garni Fuchs

Passing the striking ‘Osterberg’ and the Roman fort Vetoniana, you’ll hike to the ‘Buchenhüller’ Mammoth Cave. Following beautiful high-altitude trails above the Altmühl, with fantastic views of the valley and rock faces, you’ll enjoy the best parts of the Panorama Trail. You’ll hike through the ‘Gungoldinger Wacholderheide’, a unique nature reserve, before heading via the ‘Arnsberger Leite’ and the Limes watchtower to Kipfenberg.

Hotel example: Zur Post

This stage of the hike begins with stunning views of the beautiful Anlaut Valley. Kinding welcomes you with an imposing fortified church and cozy inns. Shortly afterwards, the Panorama Trail once again lives up to its name: magnificent views of the Altmühl Valley and bizarre rock formations. Later, another viewpoint awaits you: the Main–Danube Canal, Arzberg, Beilngries, the Altmühl and Sulz. The trail then descends steeply to Beilngries.

Hotel example: Krone

Across the Arzberg high plateau to Dietfurt, the ‘Town of Seven Valleys’, where water plays a major role in the form of the Main-Danube Canal, rivers, and springs. With views of Eggersberg Castle, past rock formations and along the Altmühltal riverside trail to the charming village of Gundlfing. From the ‘Teufelsfelsen’ (Devil's Rock), you’ll hike along a beautiful high-altitude trail to the tranquil castle town of Riedenburg.

Hotel example: Zur Post

Gnarled trees and rocky spires line your path – which is steep in places – up to Prunn Castle. Passing the sparkling blue karst spring known as the ‘Blautopf’, the route continues along the Main-Danube Canal. Back in the valley, you’ll hike along the Jura cliffs to the ‘Keltenwall’, which leads you directly to the Danube – the view down into the mighty Danube Gorge is breathtaking. Then comes the impressive finale to your hike: a boat ride through the Danube Gorge to Kelheim.

Hotel example: Dormero